GUIMARAS – Following the first case of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Barangay Sawang, Buenavista town, Gov. Joaquin Carlos Rahman Nava ordered a temporary ban on the entry and exit of swine, pork and pork products from the municipality.
Nava’s Executive Order (EO) No. 118 imposing the ban was issued on Dec. 16.
A suspected case of ASF in Buenavista was reported last week. Blood samples collected by the rapid action team of the Guimaras Veterinary Office and Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 were forwarded to the National Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory of the Bureau of Animal Industry for analysis.
Friday last week, the test result confirmed the presence of the ASF virus in Buenavista.
“After a careful evaluation of the prevailing circumstances, and on the recommendation of the Provincial Office of Agricultural Services (PAOS) and the Provincial Veterinary Services Office (PVSO), there is a need to contain the spread of ASF within the province by mandating a temporary ban,” stressed Nava.
As such, the Guimaras Police Provincial Office, Philippine Coast Guard, Provincial Law Enforcement and Public Safety Task Force, Provincial Office of the Agricultural Services, Provincial Veterinary Office, and the municipal mayors concerned were ordered to strictly implement the temporary ban and intensify border control.
Local authorities were also told to enforce food safety measures and strictly implement veterinary quarantine procedures on the movement of swine, pork, pork products, and by-products – whether fresh, frozen, cooked or processed.
In addition, they also have the authority to conduct regular and/or random checkpoints.
On Saturday, DA-6 officer-in-charge regional director, Eng. Jose Albert Barrogo, recommended the following measures:
* surveillance and monitoring activities will be intensified in neighboring barangays and other backyard farms by the ASF task force in the municipality
* All hog raisers, agricultural extension workers, and stakeholders are encouraged to report to the nearest municipal agricultural office the sudden death or sickness of hogs in their areas.
“The DA-WV is in close coordination with the local government unit concerned in the implementation of the ASF protocols within the 500-meter and one-kilometer radius and will be providing necessary and logistical supports for the containment of the infected area the soonest time possible,” said Barrogo.
“We appeal to the public not to panic and follow the ASF protocols being implemented at all ports of entry, animal checkpoints, and also intensify their respective biosecurity measures,” read part of Barrogo’s statement./PN
